“That explains why you keep defending him.” Cathy’s sigh seemed exaggerated. “Don’t allow your client’s good looks to make you lose sight of your goal. You’ve got one foot in the door. You need to get the rest of your body through it, too. I’m not just saying this because I’m working on the designs for your project.”
“I know that.”
Cathy leaned into the table. Her tone became more urgent. “Once you pull off their product launch, Anderson Adventures will realize you’re the best marketing consultant they’ve ever had. They’ll keep coming back to you.”
“And hopefully other companies will want to work with me, too.” Iris sent up a prayer.
“They will.” Cathy’s earnest expression softened with a smile. “Pretty soon, people will be asking, ‘Kimball & Associates, who?’”
“Tempting.” Iris’s chuckle went a long way toward easing her tension. “But I don’t wish any ill will on Pete Kimball.”
“That makes one of us,” her friend said dryly. “But, Iris, this plan won’t succeed if you allow yourself to be distracted by a pretty face.”
Or a set of broad shoulders. “Don’t worry, Cathy. I’m not about to ruin this opportunity. I can stay focused on the job.”
Her mind was willing. Hopefully, her body wouldn’t be weak.
* * *
Tyler stood outside Donovan’s office Monday afternoon. He was still stinging from his last encounter with Iris. His request that she maintain a strictly professional relationship with the vice president of sales couldn’t have gone worse. Maybe he’d misinterpreted that look between them. He didn’t think so. But just in case, he should also have a talk with Donovan. It was only fair. But what was his concern? That their beautiful marketing consultant was attracted to his best friend? The possibility only bothered him because it was unprofessional; not because he had a personal agenda.
Tyler knocked on Donovan’s open door, shaking off the uneasy feeling that he was making another mistake. “Van, do you have a minute?”
“Sure.” Donovan spun his chair from his computer and faced him. “What’s up?”
Tyler’s gaze shifted from his friend to the Excel file on the computer screen behind the sales executive. His shoulders slumped in resignation. “You’ve forgotten to lock your computer. Again.”
“But I’m sitting right here.”
“I’ve told you that doesn’t matter. You should develop the habit of locking your computer when you’re not using it. It’s a security precaution.” His IT and product-development staffs were the only ones who appreciated the importance of computer security. Everyone else, including his father, needed constant reminders.
“Do you think a competitor will teleport into my office and steal my computer while we’re talking?”
“Get into the habit of locking it so—”
“So it will be second nature whenever I step away.”
“You do listen to me.”
“Do I have a choice?” Donovan tapped a couple of computer keys before turning back to Tyler. “We have this conversation every time you come to my office.”
“We wouldn’t have it at all if you’d lock your computer.”
“Did you come all the way down the hall just to nag me? If so, you’ve accomplished your mission.” Donovan waved. His hazel eyes twinkled. “Have a nice day.”
There’s my opening. Where do I begin?
Tyler crossed into Donovan’s cluttered office. How could his friend keep anything straight? File folders layered his desk. Industry periodicals grew from his conversation table. Advertising schedules littered his bulletin board. Even from across the room, Tyler could tell several of the advertisements had been completed. Why hadn’t Donovan archived the schedules? The sales executive swore he had a system. What could it possibly be?
“I didn’t come to lecture you about computer security. That was just a lucky coincidence.” Tyler took a seat in front of Donovan’s desk. His friend had discarded his jacket and rolled the sleeves of his brown jersey to his elbows. “What did you think of the meeting this morning?”
“It went well.” Donovan folded his hands on his desk. “I’m excited that we’re finally going to have an internal launch. I know you and Xavier have concerns. But trust me, an internal launch will boost our external campaign, especially in this age of social media. What did you think?”
Proceed with caution. “You and Iris appeared to be on the same page.”
“That’s not surprising.” A smile eased into Donovan’s eyes. “Sales and marketing philosophies are similar.”
“It seemed to be more than professional interest.”